My boy

[Javier]

[Dave Humphries]

Nice shot Javier,

I (and I'm sure, the other portrait shooters here) would be very interested to know the technical details of this shot - it looks like something we can learn from.

Your lad looks very smart.

Thanks, Dave

[dem]

iIt is a nice family photo. A great smile, relaxed posture, well exposed (it can be brighten up a little in post processing but nothing crucial). I have got a couple of technical comments that might be irrelevant but would have bothered me had it been one of my images.

The suspenders are in sharp focus, whereas boys eyes are not. Need to be extra careful with focusing the camera when shooting using a wide aperture (narrow depth of field). Why are the suspenders are so uneven? Judging by the title they are not meant to be the main subject but they draw too much attention.

The light looks natural and even (a big window?). It might be worth trying next time to use a reflector on the right hand side or place the camera closer to the window so the boy turns to the light and his left hand side gets more light. Hats are difficult to photograph without having a shadow under them. This is where a reflector would help.

I would also clone the loose thread on the left sleeve and try avoiding cropping the right elbow.

[Shadowman]

Nice portrait.

[Loose Canon]

Hi Javier,

A fine looking young man you have there.

I got pretty excited when I saw this shot Javier. Okay, it has a couple of issues…

But the gradated background is excellent and what really got me going is the lighting style.

Classic. And a style that is rarely seen on this Forum. Plus you got catchlights in both eyes (very important).

I’m guessing window light?

Well done Javier.

[FootLoose]

Any criticism I could offer has already been stated so I will just say nice shot, Javier.

[Javier]

Thanks for your opinion I am totally agree with you, and I will take note for the next shot. Than you very much.
By the way this shot was at nigth, using only a softbox.

iIt is a nice family photo. A great smile, relaxed posture, well exposed (it can be brighten up a little in post processing but nothing crucial). I have got a couple of technical comments that might be irrelevant but would have bothered me had it been one of my images.

The suspenders are in sharp focus, whereas boys eyes are not. Need to be extra careful with focusing the camera when shooting using a wide aperture (narrow depth of field). Why are the suspenders are so uneven? Judging by the title they are not meant to be the main subject but they draw too much attention.

The light looks natural and even (a big window?). It might be worth trying next time to use a reflector on the right hand side or place the camera closer to the window so the boy turns to the light and his left hand side gets more light. Hats are difficult to photograph without having a shadow under them. This is where a reflector would help.

I would also clone the loose thread on the left sleeve and try avoiding cropping the right elbow.

[Javier]

Hi Javier,

A fine looking young man you have there.

I got pretty excited when I saw this shot Javier. Okay, it has a couple of issues…

But the gradated background is excellent and what really got me going is the lighting style.

Classic. And a style that is rarely seen on this Forum. Plus you got catchlights in both eyes (very important).

I’m guessing window light?

Well done Javier.

Dear friend:
I would like to know this couple of issues. The shot was at night only with a softbox

[Javier]

Thanks very much

[Loose Canon]

Javier,

The “issues” I mentioned had already been mentioned previously. The arm cropped, the slight underexposure, the stray thread. I think if the shot were mine I might have a look at cropping to more of a “head and shoulders” shot.

I would look at getting rid of the hot spots on the nose. I would also look at dodging his left (camera right) eye area a bit to lift the shadows a little. And I think I might burn his shirt a little to tone down the white squares some so they are not so bright. Some local sharpening on the facial features, especially the eyes.

But what really struck me is the lighting Javier. Whether intentional or accidental, you have lit this young man with a (darn close to) Rembrandt lighting style. If you did this intentionally then you already know what I’m about to say.

One of the signatures of Rembrandt lighting is the triangle of light visible on the cheek (outlined in red) beside the nose on the opposite side of the face from the key light. And it is very cool lighting. Ideally the triangle should not extend past the eye or lower than the nose. It is also important to get catchlights in both eyes, which you have done.

[Shanghai Steve]

Hi Javier
Lots of very technical comments for you to consider. For me, I think there are only two aspects of this charming photograph that I probably would have altered, hopefully before exposing the sensor.
1) The only really obvious fault is the backfocus issue. The shirt is clearly in focus rather than the face, which is a definite no-no. If you are using a Nikon, this is something which comes up quite often and I'd have a look at calibrating your AF.
2) It is a touch underexposed.
I'd also note that the lower cropline is a touch problematic. I can understand why you put it there, to emphasise the hands in pockets, but if that was your intention, I'd personally extend this to a full body shot, if possible.

I know it can be frustrating to spend time and effort capturing a good shot...and this is a good shot; a charming, natural protrait....only for others to list a plethora of mistakes.
Please don't lose heart.

[Javier]

Thank you very much¡¡¡

Hi Javier
Lots of very technical comments for you to consider. For me, I think there are only two aspects of this charming photograph that I probably would have altered, hopefully before exposing the sensor.
1) The only really obvious fault is the backfocus issue. The shirt is clearly in focus rather than the face, which is a definite no-no. If you are using a Nikon, this is something which comes up quite often and I'd have a look at calibrating your AF.
2) It is a touch underexposed.
I'd also note that the lower cropline is a touch problematic. I can understand why you put it there, to emphasise the hands in pockets, but if that was your intention, I'd personally extend this to a full body shot, if possible.

I know it can be frustrating to spend time and effort capturing a good shot...and this is a good shot; a charming, natural protrait....only for others to list a plethora of mistakes.
Please don't lose heart.

[Milehighguy]

A great, charming shot. I hope I am half as good on my first tries at portraiture, as this one. The experienced comments are very insightful and helpful to me.